By Triathlete magazine Interactive June 14, 2006 — Long Beach, California is the next destination in USA Triathlon’s five-city 2006 Haul to the Great Wall Series, and the event is bringing in the big names among U.S. elites, as the June 25 race is serving as the elite and U23 national championship and an ITU Continental Cup race. Among the athletes scheduled to compete are two U.S. men ranked in the World Cup top 10: Hunter Kemper (No. 2) and Andy Potts (No. 10). World Cup regulars Brian Fleischmann, Matt Reed, Seth Wealing, Joe Umphenour and Tim O’Donnell are also on the start list, as is a strong field of young athletes, led by Jarrod Shoemaker and Haven Barnes. Athens Olympian Victor Plata will also be in action. For the women, the field includes world No. 2 Laura Bennett, as well as Becky Lavelle, Julie Swail, Margaret Shapiro and a list of up-and-coming athletes in Jasmine Oeinck, Sara McLarty, Jenna Shoemaker, Sarah Haskins and Jennifer Spieldenner. International elites from Australia, Canada, Mexico, Israel, New Zealand and Great Britain will also compete. The series of intermediate-distance triathlons – now in its second year – allows triathletes and spectators to get their first look at who might be competing at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Each race is sanctioned by USAT and the International Triathlon Union (ITU). The ITU world-rankings system is used as part of the qualification process for the Olympics. The 2006 Haul to the Great Wall Series kicked off with the Honolulu Triathlon last month and continues with the Park City Mossman Triathlon in Bridgeport, Conn., on Aug. 5, the Boston Triathlon in Boston, Mass., on Sept. 3 and the Westchester Triathlon in Rye, N.Y., on Sept. 17. Each elite race, which allows drafting on the bike, has a prize purse of $20,000. Moreover, the overall male and female series champions – whether from the United States or another country – will receive $10,000. Swimwear and sports-apparel giant Speedo is also providing $5,000 in bonus money for each race on the five-city tour. American men and women who finish in the top three in their respective races are eligible for the bonuses, with $1,500 going to the top finisher, $750 to second and $250 to third. U.S. triathletes took five of the top six spots at the series opening event in Honolulu and split $3,500 in bonuses. In addition to the individual race bonus pool, Speedo is providing a $15,000 end-of-the-season bonus to be split if U.S. athletes finish first or second in the series. First place will receive $5,000 and second place will take home $2,500 in both the men’s and women’s categories. Age-group triathletes interested in racing the same courses as the pros should visit the race Web sites for more details and to register. Drafting is not legal in age-group races. 2006 Haul to the Great Wall Series Honolulu Triathlon (Honolulu, Hawaii) The Beach Triathlon (Long Beach, Calif.) Park City Mossman Triathlon (Bridgeport, Conn.) Boston Triathlon (Boston, Mass.) Westchester Triathlon (Rye, N.Y.) Post a comment
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